PRINCE Charles was bemused by Princess Diana’s insistence that Princes William and Harry learned the value of money, reveals a royal biographer.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana were united in their love for their boys Prince William and Prince Harry, despite their infamously difficult marital relationship. However, a royal biographer reveals how Diana’s parenting style caused tensions in the family. Katie Nicholl, in her 2010 book “William and Harry”, gives an insight into palace life behind the scenes.

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She revealed how Princess Diana would take the young princes shopping on Kensington High Street, and let the boys choose sweets to buy with their pocket money.

Ms Nicholl explained how Diana “believed it was important that William Harry understood that the rest of the world survived through hard work and salaries, and she wanted them to understand the value of money from a young age.”

She also noted how this was a significant break with tradition, as: “None of the royal family generally carried cash”.

Princess Diana on holiday with Princes William and Harry (Image: Getty)

“Not because he was mean, but because he never understood why the boys needed money.”

Ms Simmons explained: “They were always accompanied by protection officers, who paid for them, but when they were out with their friends it embarrassed them and they wanted to pay for things themselves.”

Dickie Arbiter, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ former press secretary, added that the young princes were “ecstataticlly happy” on outings with their mother.

However, Ms Nicholls writes how the “boys’ games and laughter” contrasted with the scene at home where “the situation between Charles and Diana had become unbearable.”